Featured Holiday Happenings – Get Your Grub and Groove on for Christmas and New Years Eve

CHRISTMAS EVE

Nosh Bistro – Try something different this Christmas Eve with a four course meal at Nosh Bistro. Choose one of the following four appetizers to share with the table – lamb pizza, shrimp fritters, potato dumplings, crispy rice squares. Following the shared plate, choose between tuna tartare with fried kale greens or lentil soup with roasted garlic. Nosh on one of the four fabulous entree options – lamb loin, roasted quail wrapped with guanciale, masala salmon and mushroom risotto. Cap it all off with a chia tea cake with fresh mint cream or saffron spheres with cardamom rice pudding ($65 per person).

Étoile Cuisine et Bar (Full Menu) – Chef Philippe Verpiand will serve a 3-course prix fixe Christmas Eve menu for $56 per person as well as a children’s menu for only $25.

CHRISTMAS DAY

024 Grille – In addition to the spectacular menu, 024 Grille at the Westin Memorial City will also offer a prime rib on Christmas Day.

Monarch Bistro at Hotel ZaZa (Full Menu) – Enjoy your Christmas Day at Monarch Bistro in Hotel ZaZa from 11 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Executive Chef Jonathan Jones has revamped the menu at Monarch Bistro and put his own touches on every detail – including the mouth-watering, four-course holiday menu. For reservations, call 713-527-1800 or 713-639-4539. ($55 per person).

NEW YEAR’S EVE

024 Grille (Full Menu) – a special five-course menu has been carefully prepared for guests at 024 Grille on New Year’s Eve.

$65 per person – without wine pairings

$100 per person – with wine pairings

Branch Water Tavern (Full Menu) – Executive Chef David Grossman has created a menu for NYE that highlights some of his favorite dishes for the new year. Enjoy live music in the dining room form 8:00 – midnight and a champagne toast for 2012 when the clock strikes 12.

7:00, 7:30 p.m. seatings – $75 per person – wine pairings available

9:00, 9:30 p.m. seatings – $85 per person – wine pairings available

Katsuya by S+ARCK (Event Flyer) – This New Year’s Eve, celebrate at “Katsuya 54,” experiencing the sights and sounds reminiscent of one of the most groundbreaking clubs of all time. Dinner reservations are available at 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 p.m. with a special prix fixe menu including a complimentary Grey Goose cocktail, bottomless hot sake and a Champagne toast at the conclusion of your dinner ($95 per person). The regular menu is also available. A DJ, photo booth and party favors keep the celebration going until a midnight Champagne toast rings in the New Year. Make your reservation today by visiting OpenTable.com or calling713.590.2800. To reserve a VIP table in the Dragon Lounge, please email KatsuyaHouston@sbe.com.

UP Restaurant (Full Menu) – UP in Highland Village never seems to let Houstonians down during the holiday season. With a five-star, four-course New Year’s Eve menu, UP is surely the top of our list of places to go this holiday season.

benjy’s on Washington – for NYE, benjy’s on Washington will serve a 3-course menu from 7:30 p.m. – Midnight for $61 per person. For reservations, call 713-868-1131.

Houston Texans Grille – Houston’s premier venue for sports and great food will ring in the new year with a balloon drop at mid nit with hidden prizes in each balloon! The Grille will be serving a prime rib and sides plus a glass of champagne to toast the new year for $20.13 per person – get it? 🙂 To top it all off, the Grille will have a progressive drink special available until the ball drops.

Hotel ZaZa (Event Flyer) – Ring in the New Year with Hotel ZaZa’s NYE Celebration from 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. For $75, enjoy passed lite bites, champagne toast at midnight, party favors, live entertainment and complimentary valet. In addition to attending one of Hotel ZaZa’s legendary parties, take note of the “Experience Package” offered on NYE that includes late check-out, one night visit in luxury accommodations, four-course prix fixe dinner for two at Monarch Bistro, admission for two to the NYE Celebration, split of champagne in room and brunch for two at Monarch.

The Grove – The Grove restaurant located in Downtown Houston will offer a four-course menu for $65 per person on New Year’s Eve with a complimentary glass of champagne.

ADDITIONAL

Red Velvet Scrub & Soak ($65, 45 minutes) – Enjoy the ultimate Do-It-Yourself time in our deep, decadent hydrotherapy tub! Our spa staff will prepare a bath with a rich blend of hydrating grape seed oils and exfoliating milk proteins with a hint of fresh cinnamon and caramel notes. Then, we will leave you to relax and soak. Scrub away at your leisure with a sea salt exfoliator with silky rice bran oil and a soft, sweet cream scent. Once you are finished, you’ll hydrate with a white velvet whipped shea butter cream. The perfect amount of pampering for those short on time.

Hot Whiskey Scour Pedicure ($65, 50 minutes) – Loosen up with a warm, buttery milk soak before you’re buffed and scrubbed with a spike of molten Kentucky Bourbon and brown sugar! Tension is massaged away with an anti-aging Agave Nectar oil and a special heel mask to banish calluses and rough skin. Your nails are left perfectly polished – ready for your next intoxicating experience.

Winter Warm-Up Massage ($120, 50 minutes) – Get your blood flowing with a relaxing yet stimulating Swedish-style massage laced with a rich blend of olive and grape seed with a hint of fresh cinnamon. Your therapist will soothe areas of tension and get you ready for the upcoming days of high-powered shopping and revelry.

Available through December 31st. To schedule an appointment, please call 713.639.4566

Experience something new! Whether that’s a under-the-radar restaurant, a “trust us” Korean beauty product, or a hot accessory of the moment, we want to inspire people from all "urban" cities to get their "swank" on.